Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Walker: we have the heart for t20 battle
Head coach Matt Walker says his Kent Spitfires side will fight all the way to earn their place in the quarter-finals of the Natwest T20 Blast.
After nine South Group games, Kent have yet to record back-to-back wins, having lost all three games after registering a victory. They will seek to end that trend when Sussex visit Canterbury tomorrow (Friday, 7pm).
Spitfires go into the game on a high. They enjoyed a stunning win at Hampshire on Tuesday to bounce back from Sunday’s loss at home to Glamorgan.
A Daniel Bell-drummond half-century and then some fine death bowling from Jimmy Neesham, Matt Coles and Mitch Claydon to defend a score of 159 secured a five-run success.
Walker said: “The bowlers dragged them back for us and I’m thrilled for them – it’s been a tough couple of games for them. We had a discussion about it and the bowlers probably felt the pinch a bit.
“T20 is not a game for bowlers. Nobody turns up to see bowlers, they turn up to see the ball fly out of the park.
“We probably haven’t been at our best with the ball in this competition but we’ve talked a lot, worked hard at it to try and get better and I’m proud of the boys for finding a way to win that game.
“They’ve been under a bit of scrutiny. It’s not easy when you go round the park in games, you lose a bit of confidence and trust in what you do best.
“Winning games like that is a huge confidence-booster. You get that real buzz when you get into those situations and know you can come through.”
With five games remaining in the group stage, Kent are just three points behind leaders Glamorgan – but only three ahead of rock-bottom Sussex.
Walker added: “The games are all big when everyone’s in and around.
“You win a game and push yourself towards the top, you lose and you drop down a few spots.
“Sussex are a dangerous side and we’ve already had a thriller down there (in last month’s tied game).
“It’s tough to get on a roll, especially this year. There are so many good sides it’s hard to win two or three in a row.
“I’ve always said on paper we’re a team to be reckoned with, it’s just a case of turning up and playing our best cricket day in, day out.
“You’re going to come up against sides who negate what you’ve
‘It’s just a case of playing our best cricket’
got but you’re starting to see performances from top to bottom.
“It’s now about making sure we get on that little run we need – try to win another one rather than reverting to the win-loss pattern. We’ll keep fighting all the way.”
Adam Milne (thigh) is out of the Sussex game but could be fit for the visit of Hampshire seven days later.
The West Indies visit Canterbury for a three-day Tour match from Sunday (11am) but Walker admits he will not name a full strength squad due to Kent’s ongoing T20 campaign.
He said: “My priority is making sure we are ready to go for our next two T20s but I’ll pick a balanced and competitive side with plenty of first team experience.”